Dodgers 2, Giants 1 — game story w/notes attached

Giants had to be salivating at the thought of facing Hyun-Jin Ryu on Thursday, knowing they knocked him around for eight runs in two innings in their first game of the season.

Instead, the Giants faced the Ryu who has been virtually flawless on the road this season and fared just as poorly as the three other opponents by not scoring a run.

Ryu limited the Giants to four hits and one walk in seven innings before he turned over the ball to the Dodgers bullpen in a 2-1 victory at AT&TPark before a sun-drenched, sold-out crowd.

Ryu’s masterful performance served as a marked contrast to his outing against the Giants in the Giants’ regular-season opener April 4.

That game marked the shortest outing in Ryu’s major league career and the most runs he allowed in a game.

In Ryu’s four other starts, all away from Dodger Stadium, he has not allowed a run in 26 innings.

“We hit some balls decent, but Ryu was pretty good today, too, though,” Giants catcher Buster Posey said. “He did a good job of pitching off his heater and everything kind of came out looking the same way.”

The Giants only real threats came in the eighth and ninth, when they got two runners aboard.

They did so in the eighth against former Giants closer Brian Wilson with only one out. However, Wilson struck out Pablo Sandoval and got Posey on a fly ball to center.

In the ninth, Dodgers closer Kenley Jensen allowed a two-out, bloop single to Ehire Adrianza, which scored Brandon Belt. Jensen saved the game when he got pinch-hitter Brandon Crawford on a fly to left.

“We had them on the ropes there in the eighth and the ninth,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “ … We had the right guys up there. That’s all you can ask for. It didn’t quite happen today.”

That about summed up Giants starter Madison Bumgarner’s outlook, too. He labored through 4 1/3 innings on a day when he felt as if his pitching wasn’t commensurate with the results.

Bochy removed Bumgarner after a run-scoring single in the fourth extended the Dodgers lead to 2-0 and Bumgarner’s pitch count to 99.

Time and again, Bumgarner felt as if he hit his spot. Too often, batters fouled off those pitches or home plate umpire Seth Buckminster had a different take on whether the pitches were balls or strikes.

“I feel like I made some pretty good pitches there … in some big situations,” Bumgarner said. “Things just didn’t work out in our favor today.”

Things keep working against Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval on an almost daily basis.

Less than 24 hours after he delivered the game-deciding run, Sandoval went hitless in four at-bats Thursday and his average dipped to .175.

He swears that he isn’t affected by injury, lack of confidence or stalled contract negotiations.

“You got good games, you got bad games, so you have to keep humble and keep your head up,” Sandoval said. “Try to do the best that you can out there, try to do all the things you can do, keep working hard. Good things are going to come.”

Sandoval batted third Thursday, as he has done the first 16 games this season. Bochy said it’s obvious that Sandoval is pressing and that a change might do him some good.

“Maybe I’ll drop him down in the order and try to take some pressure off him,” Bochy said. “He’s a good hitter.”

Sandoval said he’s amenable to hitting anywhere in the order, even ninth. He remains confident that the hits are about to flow freely before long.

— Shortstop Brandon Crawford (right hamstring) and centerfielder Angel Pagan (right knee) didn’t start Thursday’s game. Both entered the game as pinch-hitters. Crawford took ground balls before Thursday’s game and said he is hopeful of starting Friday.

— Reliever Jeremy Affeldt pitched scoreless eighth and ninth innings for the Giants in his 2014 debut. He missed the first 14 games of the season with a right knee sprain. The Giants activated Affeldt from the disabled list Wednesday.

— Backup infielder Ehire Adrianza entered Thursday’s game as part of a double move when Bochy removed Bumgarner in the fifth. He exited the game with a double, two singles and a batting average that soared from .059 to .200.

“What a great day he had and that goes unnoticed when you lose a game like this,” Bochy said. “ … That should do a lot for his confidence.”

— Posey took a foul ball off his chest, the latest in a line of nicks and bruises. Bochy said he intends to speak with Posey before Friday’s game and that there’s a chance Posey won’t catch the first game of the three-game series.

— The Giants on Thursday played their seventh straight one-run game. The last time they played in seven consecutive one-run games was from Aug. 11-17, 1910, according to STATS, Inc.

— The Giants streak of allowing three walks or fewer ended at 15 games Thursday. The Dodgers coaxed four walks from Bumgarner and Yusmeiro Petit.

The 15 straight games tied for the third-longest streak in the Giants’ era in San Francisco. The record is 18 straight games, from July 5-28, 2012.

— Wilson pitched the eighth for the Dodgers. Fans that once adored Wilson greeted him with a chorus of boos.

— Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig clanked a fly ball by Giants second baseman Brandon Hicks in the second inning. Fortunately for the Dodgers, Puig pounced on the ball and fired a strike to second base in time to get Belt for a force out.

On the next batter, Puig countered his non-chalance on Hicks’ fly with sheer brilliance on a fly ball by Gregor Blanco.

Puig turned his back to the infield as soon as Blanco lined a ball to deep right, sprinted toward the outfield wall, looked up and hauled in the ball with an over-the-shoulder grab.

Steve Corkran

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Bochy said it’s obvious that Sandoval is pressing and that a
change might do him some good.

“Maybe I’ll drop him down in the order and try to take some pressure off him,” Bochy said. “He’s a good hitter.”
========

How about 9th? Might be a good spot for him.

7 consecutive one run games? Get used to it the way it looks like this team is going to hit this season. smh

Foothills Ryan

Nice game notes, Steve-O. Fine work out of the pen.

Foothills Ryan

On/off topic: The Dick’s Sporting Goods commercial is pretty good. I can’t say I recommend buying your gear there. They have an extremely inefficient use of floor space and you pay for some of that overhead at the counter.

Steve, why do you guys comb out these historical, make believe statistics. They don’t seem to inform on The Game, or the game we just watched? And what happened to Ryu a week ago, has exactly nothing to do with what happens to him today, unless you believe one coin flip influences the next.

And he wasn’t “knocked around” last time in any case. Errors and sun pop ups led to big innings without a lot of hard hit balls, really.

ClutchUp

Go Sharks!

Michael Scott

It’s not a brilliant catch when the guy breaks the wrong way, spins around the other way and his glove gets in the way of the the ball. The Puigster was lucky.

Michael Scott

Millie thinks it’s bad if it’s 2010 all over again.

stickman

Bochy could well be the best in baseball when it comes to bullpen management. The story switches, though, when it comes to setting lineups. Batting Pablo third, following Pence was one of those brainfrts which he stubbornly maintained until today’s admission, almost saying that Sandoval is simply not cut out for the third slot. The team’s biggest hackers hitting in positions where you want finesse and steadiness fortunately may have ended after a 16-game tryout.

Nuff said with the harping. When the team loses that sometimes happens even with some of us admitted pollys.

Couple notes of refreshment were Affeldts reversion to form on his return from the DL and Adrianza’s breakout day. Glad the brass saw fit to exercise Perez’ option rather than to let this kid loose. Adrianza should be getting a couple starts per week through the rest of this early part of the season ~ maybe a couple games in succession.

As i noted in an earlier posting or three, Giants bats seem to get ATTed. Time for a name-change. They may well pick it up on the road-trip. If the pitchers stay tuned in we could have a decent tour of the as yet unmet pair of NLW foes.

MLBSF

To be honest I didn’t find most of the 2010 season to be very fun. Near the end yes. But for most of the regular season. No.

It’s looking like a replay of ’10

MLBSF

At least stickman admits he is a pollyanna.

livefreerdi

Dodgers got away with 2 “errors” in one inning and Puig botched another fly ball in the same inning. In that sense, they were lucky. They asked to get swept today.

BALDHEADSLIK1

When you really think about it Belt should be batting 3rd, very patient,power,ability to take a walk,good average hitter. Yep he’s my 3 hitter.

StevenAlanMitchell

Nothing worse than a closet Polly like ClutchUp.

ClutchUp

Take away whose uniform he’s wearing … he also made 2 outstanding catches. He’ll grow up from his daliances. He’s a man child to be reckoned with.

ClutchUp

The Cubs could use you as fan.

Michael Scott

They’ve met the Rockies.

thefarnz

Says the poster who ONLY has moronic comments!

ClutchUp

Farnz knocked it out of the Yawd!

Michael Scott

Thanks for the heads up. Nothing ticks me off more than inefficient use of floor space. I won’t be buying my gear at Dick’s, that’s for sure.

DrLefty

LOL. That’s right, Michael. Stand up for what you believe in. No compromise!

DrLefty

The close games, yes. Otherwise, no. The 2010 team had lights-out pitching–best in the majors–but not much offense. This team has less pitching but more offense, especially on the road. It’s more balanced. In that sense, it may be a bit more like the 2012 team.

Blackburn’s my boy. I have a good feeling about that one. Young but he knows how to pitch.

Matthew

Coo coo ca-choo, Mrs. Robinson!

Matthew

Up 3-0 after 1…loooong series, though

Matthew

So, what is with the schedule makers? The Dodgers get the Washington Generals again?!?!

Matthew

He certainly is an amazing athlete…I am not as sure that he will simply grow into himself mentally. Does he have the right mentoring? Is he willing to accept that mentoring as it is given? Will he continue to stray into questionable decisions? The sports world is littered with stories that go either way.

Michael Scott

Agosta left the San Jose game after 1 2/3. He gave up only 1 unearned run so I’d guess it was an injury. I’m sure Vegas will have details. Pitching now is Jeff Soptic , a big kid we got for Gillaspie. He hasn’t shown much yet but he’s said to throw 100 MPH.

StevenAlanMitchell

What’s up with the Pablo hate? His hit won the game for them yesterday. That makes a WAR of 1. 16 games in over 162 that makes a WAR of 10. That’s HOF level.

Foothills Ryan

what do you think of his peripherals?

Foothills Ryan

But he’s a righty ! Thar’s plenty of lefties to pick from.

DrLefty

Just read this stat in Baggs’s post:

Sandoval has come up with 43 men on base, most on the team. He has 6 RBI–one more than Madison Bumgarner.

That’s not hate, but it’s not a good look. It’s also not like him. Even last year, an overall disappointing season for him, he drove in runs.

Pablo is also usually a fast starter. They showed a stat on TV during the game. His BA in April is usually well over .300. He’s hitting .175 right now.

Foothills Ryan

Conor seems to hit pretty well for a guy Sabes gave up for some springs on an iron mike machine.

DrLefty

I’ll make exceptions. Timmy has always been my boy, too.

DrLefty

Bummer about Agosta. His pro career has been slowed so far by injuries.

Foothills Ryan

I worked at a sporting goods store back when I was in high school. Floor space was maximized in that joint. Believe me.

Matthew

Why would you extrapolate anything from 16 games into 162? Is Jean Machi going to win 30 games?

Hopper15

I’ve heard some Trevor Cahill comparisons with him.

DrLefty

Now, now. Blackburn lost weight over the offseason.

Foothills Ryan

Joe Blanton is another.

NoShame09

That clown behind the plate completely turned the tide of the game, in this case it DID NOT go both ways. That guy should really be reprimanded for his performance.

That’s how I roll, babe. Now get me a whiskey and make it snappy.
Just practicing my lines..

Foothills Ryan

Grizzlies may win a game tonight. Add on and hold the lead boys. Good things in there. Heston may be Mr. Dependable on that staff.

Michael Scott

Obviously he wasn’t in much demand,

Matthew

Jean Machi = Roy Face!

Hopper15

okay

walt kovacs

they arent there to win…they are there for depth

only people who really care, live in fresno and pick my lettuce

pacman68

You win some you lose some. Hard to sweep a good team like the Dodgers but we really should have. Belt should bat 3rd.

MLBSF

Lefty notice how the River Cats are kings of the division AGAIN?
This is some AAA powerhouse where I live.

Gotta give credit where credit is due. Oakland is head and shoulders better than the Giants in building a minor league system. You would think the Giants would do a better job of mirroring it considering Sacramento is so close.

DrLefty

We beat ’em tonight, though!

Part of it is Billy Beane trades their young talent for even younger talent. The Giants put their talent in the majors and sign them to long-term deals. Different business model.

It’s such a nice venue. I have a hard time sitting though minor league games to be honest, but if the Giants are on the road..Raley Field is a nice place to hang out.

MLBSF

lol. Just as much torture in 2012. Particularly in the early postseason.

livefreerdi

There’s “a lot” and then there’s 3 series in the first 20 games. It’s ridiculous, it’s potentially unfair (allowing one team too benefit disproportionately from injuries) and it’s unnecessary if you don’t let Kids with crayons make the schedule.
Here’s one for you: what’s the logic for the home-and-home anyway? This is not college.

Baseball cares not a whit about the integrity of the schedule

Vegas Giants Fan*

Minor League Notes: Martin Agosts’ outing.

Bottom 1st:

Silva called out on strikes – 1 out
Wright grounds out – 2 outs
Waltrip 2B’s to left
Mejlas-Brean grounds out 4-3 – 3 outs

My boy Clayton Blackburn was compared to an in-his prime Derek Lowe. (by Keith Law) While Blackburn is not as big as Lowe, he has similar style: he is not overpowering, but is able to induce a lot of ground balls while posting a good strikeout-to-walk ratio.

According to Baseball America’s October postdraft card report, Blackburn was raked the third best high school prospect to be drafted. He also ranked as the best late round pick at or below slot bonus.

I first posted this report back in April 2012.

Foothills Ryan

That is good news. Thank you for digging up the details. Reads like he totally lost command – even command of the throw to the base. Strong candidate to move to the bullpen.

Foothills Ryan

Thank you Carmoracle!

DrLefty

Tri-tip sandwiches and Big Spoon Yogurt. mmm-mmm.

The first time we went to a game there, we were startled to hear Celine Dion playing over the PA system. Then they explained that they wanted us all to pledge money for breast cancer research and were going to play Celine nonstop until they met their goal–and they had her entire catalog in the booth, including in French.

They met the goal before the end of the third inning. It was hilarious.

Foothills Ryan

Yay! The Grizzlies win! I’m going Saturday night.

Coincidence that Joe Panik broke out of slump after moving back to second?

Law is human after all. Thanks Vegas.

DrLefty

Well–we had two series against the Dbacks, too–7 of the first 10 games. The Dodgers and Snakes had those two random games in Oz. But who knew the Snakes were going to be the Washington Generals, anyway? I don’t think anyone expected them to be THIS bad.

The difference so far is the Dodgers have taken advantage of the Dbacks’ bad start (5-0) but the Giants didn’t (4-3). On the bright side, the Dodgers are under .500 when NOT playing the Snakes.

DrLefty

I was being silly. Cahill looks like the Pillsbury Doughboy to me, and Blackburn’s always been a big boy–but he did trim down between seasons. I knew you meant their pitching, not their body types!

DrLefty

Blackburn was set to play baseball at the University of Oklahoma, and teams assumed he was unsignable. That’s why he fell to the 16th round.

DrLefty

I was just thinking about historical context, too. Blackburn was drafted out of high school in 2011–just months after the Giants won the World Series, led by their young, homegrown rotation, two of whom (Cain and Bumgarner) the Giants drafted and developed out of high school. They also had another stud high school pitcher (Zack Wheeler), drafted in 2010, in the system at the time.

Crick and Blackburn were both high school pitchers drafted by the Giants in 2011. I’m guessing with that track record, if the Giants called, you put your college plans aside.

DrLefty

Stratton and Agosta were supposed to be the headliners in SJ, but so far it’s Flores and Gregorio.

Foothills Ryan

but there’s more…

Blackburn was pitching in the same HS league (or maybe just the same state, OK) as Archie Bradley – who diverted all the scout’s attention that made their way to Oklahoma. So the story goes.

Foothills Ryan

i was thinking that yesterday after Gregorio’s big day. Sort looks like he’s the #3 of the staff in the league which he’s old for. Which is a good reflection on G’s depth, but not too complementary for Strat.

PerSpeier35

I’m thinking Pill would be a good fit for the RH part of the A’s 1B platoon. Right now they are using Callaspo who is doing well but is way ahead of his history and is basically a 5’9″ second baseman filling in. I would guess though that Pill is enjoying full time and not just being used to light a fire to BB9’s behind.

DrLefty

And still more. Dylan Bundy, another HS pitcher out of Oklahoma, was drafted #4 by the Orioles.

Wow, that was some draft for the Diamondbacks–#3 (Bauer) and #7 (Bradley). Bauer was because they sucked in 2010 and Bradley was because they couldn’t sign their previous year’s top pick.

Lotta great names in the 2011 draft–besides those listed, there was Gerrit Cole, Sonny Gray, and Jose Fernandez. The Giants’ first pick was Joe Panik at #29. Then they got Crick as a sandwich first-round pick. The only name I recognize between Panik and Crick on that board is Jackie Bradley.

I look forward to the Padres series’-IMO Black is the second best skipper in NL. It seems that that never hit but they play good “D”, Black gets the most out of the pitching staff, he manages his pen well- they’re SF-lite. They may lose a lot but they’re not *out-played* a lot, if you know what I mean.

Matthew

Thank you , SAM

The Artist Formerly Known as The Bodyguard (€)*

* the closest I could come with my limited keyboard…

Matthew

So, he’s kinda chubby?

Michael Scott

Well, he was close to that pitch limit, and his command obviously wasn’t sharp, but 1.2 innings , 1 unearned run is not enough to describe his outing as subpar, IMO. Thanks for the details, though. As always, terrific job at keeping us up to date about the minor league system. No “regular” reporter comes even close to the depth of your reports.

Foothills Ryan

I see you’ve become a fan of the one-stop shop. Thank you for adding your quibble.

Foothills Ryan

Giants are fortunate they won’t face Andrew Cashner – that would almost guarantee an L. “Cash” is my new lead dog in the NL CY race. Bumgarner has fallen well off the pace early. Fernandez strong.

DrLefty

Matheny’s pretty good, too. His first two years have been terrific.

Foothills Ryan

A new lineup for the Gas Lamp Series:

Pagan
Crawford
Belt
Posey
Morse
Pence
Sandoval – shouldn’t be as bad from the left side
Adrianza – it’s time to shine
Cain

DrLefty

Yeah, that board is pretty much upside down from what most people would have predicted a few weeks ago!

stickman

That 1/10th pole you reference caught my notice last evening. Course the fixation for me was that 10-6 record which translates to 101 wins and 61 losses. That should could be a winner. Now how to maintain the pace.

DrLefty

By “he,” you mean Stratton? Gregorio’s not especially old for High A, is he?

Also, there’s Keury Mella down in Augusta…Stratton could fall pretty far down the prospect board.

Foothills Ryan

Fredi Gonzalez looking good. Clint Hurdle was the man last year.

Foothills Ryan

Stratton

Foothills Ryan

a terrible DBacks team helps. Padres have many injuries to overcome. Rack up some wins there.

Matthew

I like Matheny…good guy. I think Black is a tremendous manager and better than Mike at this point. Mike has made some dubious moves at very key times, and his management of the mound is no Bochy Concerto…Bud has always kept that team pretty decent with real thin rosters.

My dear friends who are cardinals fans were aghast at two main things for position players: Kozma’s for two years at SS (he’s finally back in AAA) and Jon Jay in CF , who is weak at plate discipline and a spotty fielder. Then they were REALLY mad in game 7 here with the pitching decisions.

But, we have plenty here who bark at similar things, huh?

stickman

Thanx for the report and the consistency ~ even when you weren’t feeling quite up to snuff.

Have been pleasantly surprised so far by Villalona’s BA in the tough Eastern League. He may be back on his way to prospect status. So Law now has an ERA. Just proves he’s mortal. Fresno lineup looks pretty loaded and nice to See Panik having a good game. Susac getting primed for The Show. Where will he go? Or is it Hector who goes? Nice problem to have. Blackburn back on the radar screen. Oh that Richmond Rotation. Another solid outing for Mella.

All in all the pipeline is looking pretty good and it’s not strictly the pitchers. Wouldn’t surprise me a bit if those rating organizations bump the Giants up a notch or two.

stickman

Laughable Lefty Levity.

stickman

Belt third and Crawford second. The Pence and Pablo show can duke it out as to who gets the Enforcer role in the five spot and which one gets relegated to the pure hacker role batting sixth.

stickman

Batting fifth or sixth he should be more relaxed and it should show in the results. By temperament if not by talent he’s better suited for hitting lower in the lineup. And i’m still concerned whether the lasik or radical carrot lobotomy surgery was really helpful for his ability to read the spin on that white pill.

Good NorCal/SoCal rivalries this week. Giants & A’s take two of three from Dodgers & Angels, Dubs getting ready to face the LA Clippers on first round of NBA playoffs, SJ Sharks take first game of their series w/LA Kings. 49ers getting ready for the draft, LA team…oh yeah–they don’t HAVE a team! Sorry–couldn’t resist!

totalfan62

Stephen A. Smith (aka Screamin’ A__hole Smith) just suggested on ESPN that Mark Jackson would be a good fit for NY Knicks head coach. Has he not been watching the Warriors season? Then again, many Dubs fans might be glad to see that happen!

Foothills Ryan

I may have Bundy and Bradley mixed up with respect to Blackburn – but yes, all 3 from OK

Michael Scott

Stratton hasn’t been particularly sharp yet, but he’s been very respectable and it doesn’t take but a couple good or bad starts by anyone in that rotation to change the outlook. It’s just way too early to make judgments
With that said, ,besides Crick most of our pitching prospects project as bottom of the rotation types. Mella might have the highest ceiling with Mejia not far behind. Escobar was right with Mejia ( these are all Baseball Prospectus takes) , we’ll have to see if his early struggles in the PCL continue. Mejia has struggled as well. The BP projections have Crick as a possible 1 ( or closer) with Mella a 2, Mejia, Escobar and Gregorio 3s, the rest back of the rotation guys.
Not bad. Not bad at all. Lefty would add Blackburn to the list, as would I. Not great stuff but a workhorse innings eater seems to be the consensus.

Michael Scott

Agree with that, Gonzales as well.

2holehitting

Radio talk show hosts are crazy, you have Towny and Huff criticizing Pablo and the contract he wants. . You have Aubry Huff criticizing Pablos work ethic, when Huff and beer swigging chain smoking player came to camp after the world series out shape and over weight then went on to have one of the worst 2 years while taking $12M per year and going AWOL.
Pablos worst year is hitting 267 with 13 jacks. He currently has more RBI’s walks and home runs than Pence at $19M per year. Pence if not for an awesome September, had Pablo 2013 numbers which by most are considered poor.

paul in p.v.

Blanco’s not a pie-thrower like Jay.

2holehitting

By the way, great sharks game last night. Crowd was out of gas come the start of the 3rd and the team laid back to protect the lead taking only 5 shots after 14 per period. Sundays game will be the tell all. If they come out and answer the bell, things will be looking very good.

I guess I’m surprised about Morse – except for a couple of jolts he has seemed sluggish to Snorkel – is anyone else worried about him?

paul in p.v.

Gracias as always VGF!

So Law finally gave up a run (1) – Villalona is hitting his weight (+) – and Snorkel’s boy Juanito Perez hit the ground running in Fresno! :o)

paul in p.v.

Oops sorry I repeated you. :o/

Foothills Ryan

Giants will face to LH starters in SD series (Stults & Erlin).

Foothills Ryan

A little Rage Against the Machine for your A, also. Hope Snorkel is agreeable to that.

paul in p.v.

Might have stayed in Sacramento if we had the Rivercats – great team and stadium!

paul in p.v.

Turn up the way-back machine! Wasn’t he 18-3 that year?

Matthew

Of course he did! Because there are two main cities in the World O’ ESPN…New York and LA…oh, Boston is nearly there in their eyes.

He is factually correct…Jackson would be good for NY…I am a Dubs fan, and want him to stay, but with the support of a very strong bench coach for in game strategy. Like Malone….oh, wait…well, not specifically Malone. Like Malone.

paul in p.v.

Got a feeling Gibson will reverse things soon – weren’t the Diggers miserable at this time last year?

I would be personally. I think Jackson tries to put himself in front of his team too much. After all they are ‘his guys’.
Don’t get me wrong, I thinks he’s done a good job; and deserves an extension from the Warriors but I wouldn’t cry if he moved on home.
Plenty of talented coaches out there right now, wouldn’t be hard to find a capable replacement.

Pitchers:
Top Prospects: Hembree, Escobar(still)
Watch him: Runzler
Tough to figure: Kickham
No room: Bochy, Kontos, Dunning
Stock fell: Heston
The pitchers need injury or major drop offs by the SF pen to get a recall-and to hold off Law. Hembree, Runzler have best chance to move up here.

Michael Scott

See first LU

Anti-Lasorda

Get Pence out of the two hole… period

Michael Scott

Elroy had the luckiest year ever. Loved him.

Michael Scott

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Matthew

Good recap…it’s the Sharks MO to ease up like that, but I loved the hard, clean, physical play in the first 2, which set a good tone. I expect a typical Sutter-coached response Sunday. Ought to be fun.

Matthew

Sound fine by me! Call Lacob for us.

Foothills Ryan

Colvin with a Golden Sombrero ayer noche.

Heston could be most reliable starter for Grizzlies. Make of that what you will. Based on velocity his stock never high enough to fall too far.

Matthew

Cue up Into The Mystic!

DrLefty

That was pretty awesome, too. I can’t wait to read Chef Michael’s review of her “chicken spaghetti” recipe that Brandon loves so much. (Velveeta, Ro-tel tomatoes…yummy).

And the story about tracking down Lilly the dog was wild! I thought my Winnie was a high-maintenance diva, but now I appreciate her more.

ClutchUp

Whaaaattt? Wha’ happen to Comedian who fills in for Rome? :-/

channelclemente

If the analysis is accurate, it explains a lot of Bochy talk, about good contact…not hits, and why they got Morse. A lot to think about in it, IMO.

ClutchUp

Me and Oprah are doing the Sonora 3K this weekend. Its the Lazarus Get Up Run.

Michael Scott

He was considered to be a potential 3 to 5 starter up here after his 2012 season in AA. Now he’s not a prospect at all.

Foothills Ryan

Then I suppose the same could be said for Surkamp. Sabes didn’t even get get springs and bolts for him.

DrLefty

I’d have to agree that Aubrey Huff is the LAST guy who should be throwing stones on this point.

Matthew

What caught me about the Lilly story is this: so many of us look at these guys as our personal entertainers, and we demand absolute consistency…and Brandon has those Bashers ready to pounce with every o-fer.

It sounded as if he KNEW the dog had gone missing…so, he had to put that as far back in his mind as possible. The guys on here that pull that “these guys make bank, they should always perform” mantra need to stop and consider. These incidents are real, and they-like us-have to deal with the reality and emotions of it.

Stan

Was the jerk in the Dodger cap thrown out for groping Amy G.? A-hole copped a feel putting his head on her shoulder when she had her back turned. A near assault.

Matthew

Don’t worry, we remember his arm…those stones won’t go far.

DrLefty

Not me. Jackson has taken them from a lottery team to a 51-win team in two short years. Is he learning? Yes. Does he have his “warts”? Yes.

But the bigger question is who would replace him that could be better? The players love him. The grass is not always greener somewhere else.

Matthew

I have a new respect for her…first, I bet she has to put up with that too often…and second, she showed mad blocking skills and a Dave Stewart level glare.

Well done, Amy

Stan

I was watching a program on physics and science and its amazing how much of everything obeys a few laws..including basketball and sports. The transfer of energy seems to always create branching and favored routes. And why we see dichotomy in so many ways.
Kool,man.

ClutchUp

No. Most 6’5″ Jamaican born 250lb Men are not going to be anything better than SubSlow. He’s what he has always been, which is what the G’s needed. He is NOT a AL DH (yet) He will catch MOST fly balls but not everything fans want. Pat, Huff, X. Naidy, Frenchy and others were subaverage speed. PLUS, Morse is a great teammate and clubhouse guy.

channelclemente

You should read Stuart Kaufmann’s book from a few years ago, The Origins of Order.

DrLefty

Matheny was a rookie manager who took over a defending World Series champion from a Hall of Famer, and the first thing that happened on his watch was Pujols walking.

The Cardinals made it to game 7 of the NLCS out of the wild card spot in 2012 and to Game 6 of the World Series in 2013. That’s a pretty good first two years. I thought he made some mistakes in both Games 6-7 of the 2012 NLCS–leaving starters in too long while the game slipped away–but he did great in 2013. They lost the World Series because the Red Sox were better.

Overall, though, I think Matheny’s done great. I like Bud Black, too (and note that both men were good Giants in their day), but what’s he accomplished as a manager? I know he’s had a weak roster, but so did Bruce Bochy (even weaker, arguably)–and Bochy managed to get to the playoffs four times and the World Series once with the Padres.

Matthew

Some days, you folks are just too smart for me. Gives me perspective.

DrLefty

Agree on both, especially Hurdle. Fredi’s had a lot to deal with, and the Braves are always competitive.

StevenAlanMitchell

Is there video of this despicable act?

DrLefty

That would be hilarious if the A’s got Pill and he went off. The Bay Area might explode.

channelclemente

Don’t be lazy. It’s a fun, if slow read.

ClutchUp

Chili Davis and BoMel really like Callaspo however…

StevenAlanMitchell

I’d take Pill of the bench PH against any the guys they have now. Adrianza, Arias, Blanco, Perez, Sanchez. Hard to believe Pill isn’t better than them as a hitter.

Vegas Giants Fan*

Still more…

2011 was the last year of that current CBA. Under the new CBA the Giants would not have be able to go over slot ($100,000) to sign Blackburn without paying a large fine. (I believe)

channelclemente

Nice story on the Braves rebirth, after surviving pitching Armageddon.

I can be categorized as selectively lazy, but that does sound interesting..I’ll give it a shot

channelclemente

It’s his, Kaufman’s, attempt to convert what are some complex ideas/concepts into something most understand, a relief map with hills, valleys, mesas, etc that make the behavior of those systems more approachable.

If Comcast replays the game today- as they usually do. I cant recall the inning -sorry.

channelclemente

Charlie Lau said the same thing once upon a time.

paul in p.v.

Wrapped his arms around her from behind while she was talking to the little kid, and took a selfie – amounted to assault – what a creep.

Michael Scott

I’m still dubious about him. We’ll see. My God is he slow. Burrell is Darren Ford compared to The Beast .
It’s bang bang in a “sprint” with Benjie..

paul in p.v.

Shoulda grabbed his smartphone and smashed it – but then the kid woulda started crying.

Michael Scott

I’m always stealing from Charlie. Darn, you caught me 😉

Michael Scott

I’d say Myers might be more responsible.

channelclemente

I used to think you might be Charlie’s love child. :~)

Vegas Giants Fan*

They both may end up in the bullpen. If not for Stratton’s strong senior season he may have been drafted as a reliever. (6th round or later) Most scouting reports I’ve read on Agosta predict him to end up in the bullpen. Thank goodness the Giants found Ty Blach in the 5th round that year.

ClutchUp

Would you *consider* posting this once every new AP post. It speaks to normalacy and what’s really important in life compared to what’s oddly wrong with those who come here to dissect human failure within THE hardest game to play on the planet. Thanks ‘Frank’!

Vegas Giants Fan*

Thanks Michael. I actually struggled to find the words to describe Stratton’s outing. I think not sharp would have worked better. Just wanted to let everyone know he was O.K.

Go Giants.

channelclemente

John McGraw NY Giants, may have created the concept of ‘the relief’ pitcher in 1903.

Not really. His K% is lower than his career numbers and his BB% is higher. Even his contact % is higher than his career best. His BABIP. is .372. The only number that’s low is his line drive %. (16.2%) That’s about 5 % lower than his career numbers. If that number continues to stay low then I’d be concerned a little. You want to see a guy like Morse drive the ball. Overall I’d say I’m happy with his performance.

Go Giants.

Anti-Lasorda

I think that guy’s name it Paul.

Michael Scott

Her interviewing skills have gotten better and better.

Michael Scott

Another explosion on Burn Notice?

channelclemente

High art, you know Art.

Michael Scott

“When I do cook, Brandon usually wants chicken spaghetti, a dish his mom taught me to make. It’s noodles, shredded chicken, Velveeta, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup and Ro-Tel diced tomatoes. It’s sooooo good.”
OMG. It’s remindful of a Trisha Nixon recipe for “Chicken Divan” that had like 6 Campbell’s soups drowning it. It caused writer Calvin Trillin ( “American Fried,” a great book about good eatin’) to propose a label on Campbell’s soups that declared “For Soup Purposes Only”

Brown beef in the bottom of a 5 quart stock pot over medium high heat, drain fat and return to pot. Add in rest of ingredients and return to medium low heat stirring occassionaly until Valveeta melts. Serve with Tortilla Chips (I recomment Tostitos scoops and forgoing the spoons)

Serves 4 comfortably.

Enjoy! Preferably with a Negro Modelo…

Vegas Giants Fan*

You brought to my attention some interesting stuff on gravitational waves the other day. Here’s a link to a documentary from the other day on gravitational waves. The link will take you to LIGO’s home page. Click on Ligo Scientific Collaboration which will take you to the documentary.

It’s a classic, brother…maybe only for old dudes like CU and me and CC and Michael and Baldy and Surf and JStreet and Paul and TF62 an Atlas and Anti and….well, you get the picture, young man!

ClutchUp

She’s employed by SF G productions a separate yet connected division of the SFG LLC. She works for and with Chris Gargano and IMO she is going nowhere and they have zero intention of any such movement. Her menu is scripted and groomed one to two days ahead of time. If you think its so bad, write to them with resolutions instead of just “she sucks” … or use that time to surf the dial or go to the john.

I think she’s a nice person, family person, does a ton for the community in Petaluma and has literally grown up on the job. A wife, mother etc – It is doubtful any of us could do a better job.

I don’t like what they MAKE her do – the in game stuff grinds on me but it is not Amy Gutierrez”s fault.

I believe there are many students with a Communication’s degree and reporters itching for the chance. I totally agree she seems like a nice person and good mother, but interviewing and reporting on baseball are not her strength. I love sports and know sports well enough to expect a higher standard.

Michael Scott

Interesting: Pablo and Hicks lead the team in BB w/8, Pence tied with Crawford and Posey with 7.
Morse and Pagan 5, Belt 3.

In my house we do Leg of lamb, this year I am slow roasting on the rotisserie in the BBQ. But for a cold football Saturday (because football is better on Saturday) that sure hits the spot.

Anti-Lasorda

Nope, Yellowstone……

2holehitting

Had nothing to do with forgiving Huff. He was a Good Giant right? It had everything to do about him talking about work ethics and being in shape.

Vegas Giants Fan*

He came up with the Reds in 1971. He had his best season with the Expos in 1978. (20-11, 3.05) He was an All-Star that season and finished 7th in the NL CYA. He played with the Reds, Orioles, Expos and Indians in his career. Sorry I took so long to get back to you.